As we resume our study of the Gospel of John, we pick up at Verse 31 of Chapter 8. Directed by the Holy Spirit, the Apostle wrote:
“To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’ They answered Him, ‘We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?’ Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free you will be free indeed.'” (John 8: 31-36)
Last week we heard Jesus proclaim that He was, and is the I AM, from above. He went on to tell the Jews that He was the ‘Son of Man’, the Messiah, and that the Father had sent Him. He told them the Father was with Him, (in Him), and spoke through Him. Many believed Him as He spoke. (John 8: 26-30)
Now He is telling them that He is the Truth. He is telling them if they will come to know Him by believing His teaching, that He, Son of God, is Truth, and that He will set them free from the slavery of sin and make them sons of God.
However, they did not consider themselves to be slaves of sin because they were descendants of Abraham. They looked to Abraham, and to Moses, and to their Religion and considered themselves righteous. We can make that same mistake by getting into a routine of going to Church almost every Sunday, giving our tithes, saying our prayers, being good citizens, paying our taxes, and trying to do the right thing. And all of this is good. But if they are done routinely, and habitually in the flesh because we are trying to be a ‘good christian’ instead of in the spirit because we want to be with Him, talk continuously to Him, represent Him, and let the world see His love in us, we are open to being captured in sin.
Sin has a way of disguising itself, of enslaving us, of controlling us, of dominating us, and of dictating our actions in the flesh. When we know Christ as Savior, we are privileged to walk in grace, and love, and that is where we want to operate from. We must be careful to never operate from the flesh, and self, and become smug and judgmental in our actions. The Lord said, “If you will hold to my teaching, you will know the truth, and the truth (He Himself) will set you free. His teaching is simply to Love. Love others, Love yourself, Love Him. He IS Love. And as we totally open ourselves to Him, we are filled with His presence. There is therefore no room for sin; we are free from it and the effects of it. We get to ‘know Him’. We come to know that HE is Truth. He come to know that He is our very best Friend, and a relationship of friendship develops. We come to know, without doubt, that He is our Protector, our great Shepherd, and our Coach. He sets us free to enjoy the abundant life that is ours to have in Truth.
Have a wonderful day in every way, God’s Beloveds. That is His desire for each of us as we live in Truth.